Dispensing apparatus



July 15, 1924.

1,501,755 J. E DANKWORTH DISPENS ING APPARATUS Filed May 2, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 B 7-2.

Y 1 ENTOR.

.Marz/varfi A TTORNE Y.

July 15 J. DANKWORTH DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May 2, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TIOE.

- the device rendered simpler, less expensive Patented July 15, 1924.

UNITED STATES JAMES ELIS DAN KWORTH, OF BALLINGER, TEXAS.

DISPENSING APPARATUS.

Application filed May 2.

T 0 all whom it may con rem:

Be it known that I, JAMES E. DANK- WORTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ballinger, in the county of Runnels and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dispensing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the ac companying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in dispensing apparatus and has relation more particularly to an apparatus of this general character constituting a store fixture and it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this general character embodying novel and improved means whereby different commodities may be separately handled.

7 Another object of the invention is to pro-. vide a novel and improved apparatus of this general character comprising a bin divided into compartments to contain separate commodities and wherein the material within each of said compartments may be independently withdrawn, a single point of discharge being common to a plurality of compartments An additional object oftheinvention is to provide an apparatus of this general,

character having associated therewith novel and improved means whereby the various compartments maybe readily filled.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein a single discharge is common to a plurality of compartments and wherein said discharge has in communi cation therewith a supplemental chamber to receive an excess amount of material which may have been taken from a compartment.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved dispensing apparatus whereby cer tain important advantages are attained and and otherwise more convenient and advan tageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to de scribe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein f Figure 1 is an elevational view of an ap-' 1923. Serial No. 636,222.

paratus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; I

Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section of the structure as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1 with, the elevator shown in applied position;

Figure 4 is a transversesectional View of a second bin comprised in the apparatus as herein disclosed; I

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the upper portion of the elevator, the associated bin being shown in dumping position;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my improved apparatus comprises a frame structure F of a skeleton'type, and which supports a counter 1. Provided below the counter l at one end portion thereof is a chamber or compartment 2 open at opposite sides of the apparatus and in which is adapted to be arranged a supply of. bags or the like so that the same may be readily obtained by a salesman.

Supported by the frame F above one end; portion of the counter 1 is a bin B of desired dimensions and which is divided by the partitions'3 into a plurality of compartments adapted to contain a desired commodity such as beans, codes and kindred goods generally on sale in a grocery store or the like. The lower portion of the bin is provided with a plurality of hoppers'H herein disclosed as two in number, certain of the compartments afforded by the partitions 3 being incommunication with one of the hoppers while t'he remainder of said compartments are in communication with the second hopper. V l

The compartments afforded by the parti-. tions 3 extend within the associated hopper H but terminate below the lower portion thereof and the lower or discharge end of each of said compartments is under control of a slide valve 4 whereby the mate-rial in each compartment may be withdrawn sep arately or independently of the materials in the remaining compartments.

Each of the hoppers has depending from the lower portion thereof and in communication therewith a discharge spout 5 with which is telescopically engaged a sec- 0nd spout 6. The spout 6 is adjustable with respect to the spout 5 and is of particular advantage in efiecting the desired discharge of the material within a bag or other container positioned upon a scale mounted upon the counter 1 preferably at a point substan tially midway of the hoppers H. The scale is not illustrated in the accompanying drawings as this in itself is not believed. to form any particular part of the present invention. It is to be understood that the scale may be of any type preferred.

The lower portion of each of the compartments above the valve 4 is provided in a wall thereof with an opening 7 in communication with the supplemental compartment 8 open at its top. In the event an excess amount of material is withdrawn from a main compartment, such excess is returned by a scoop or the like to the associated supplemental compartments 8 so that when the valve at is again open such surplus material will be discharged through thespoutsjo and 6. Supported by the frame F at a desiredidistance above the counter l is a shelf 9 onwhich is positioned a plu rality of containers 10 each holding a. supply of liquid commodity such as vinegar, cool'o ing oil. or the like. Leading from each of the containers 1 0 is a separate discharge pipe 11 terminating in a valve controlled discharge spout 12 positioned a desired" point with respect to the counter l. The frame F is providedwi'th suitable means for supporting a paper roll R and the shelf 9 as herein disclosed is provided with. means as at 14' for supporting twine.

The frame structure below the counter 1 is open and the bins X and Y are adapted to be arranged therein. Each of these bins X and Y is provided with thero'l'lers l6 whereby the same may be readily handled. One of these bins, as X is adapted to contain vegetables or the like and for which reason it is divided into a plurality of compart'ments' by the transversely disposed partitions 17.

The second bin Y is also divided into a plurality of compartments by the transversely disposed partitions I8 and each of these compartments is adapted to contain a supply of bulk flour, meal, dried fruits and the like and in order to" protect the contents of this bin Y against dust each of the compartments has associated therewith a separate closure or door member 19, said door preferably including a closedpaniel' 20' so that visual access may be had within the compartment.

The lower portions of the side walls of each of the compartments within the bin B are also preferably provided with the transparent windows 21 so that visual access may be had within said compartments.

As herein disclosed there issupported by the frame F against an end of the counter l a. stand 22 adapted to keep a supply of nuts or the like. While the accompanying drawing-sdisclose only a single stand it. is to be understood that as many more may be employed as the requirements of practice may dictate.

In order that the compartments comprised in the bin. B may be filled when desired I employ an elevator E which comprises an elongated member 23 adapted to be vertically disposed and provided adjacent its upper end portion with thehoo-ksQd adapted- This member 30 extends upwardly and over a guide pulley 3T suitably supported by the upper portion ofthe member. and then: extending'downwardly a distance sufiiciently' to be readily grasped by an operator: 'n a bin is to be filled the elevator is pro erly positioned relative thereto and a supp y of material is placed within the bucket 28; The bucket is then pulled upwardly by the:

member 30 and when it reaches the upper" portion of said member or at. a point above the bin, continued pull upon the member will cause the bucket 28 to swinginto av dumping position as illustrated in Figure 5 whereby the contents of said bucket will be discharged Within the proper compartment.

Fronr the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of'the convenience and facility with which' it may be" assembled and operated, and it will also be obviousthat my invention is susce tible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be" understood; as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and. formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my inventionin pram tice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim y 1. An apparatus" of the class described comprising a bin, artitions dividing the same into a plurality of compartments. a hopper common to all of the compartments provided with a discharge, a separate/valve for each of the compartments for controlling the discharge therefrom within the hopper, and an individual supplemental compartment in connection witheach offit-he first partments, said supplemental compartment being arranged exteriorly of the bin.

2. A store dispensing apparatus comprising a bin, partitions dividing the same into a plurality of compartments, the bottoms of each of said compartments being open, the lower portion of the bin constituting a hopper common to all of the compartments, said hopper being provided with a discharge, and a separate valve for each of the compartments for controlling the discharge therefrom to the hopper, said valve constituting the bottom of the compartment.

3. A store dispensing apparatus comprising a bin, partitions dividing the same into a plurality of compartments, the bottoms of each of said compartments being open, the

lower portion of the bin constituting a hopper common to all of the compartments, said hopper being provided with a discharge, a separate valve for each of the compartments for controlling the discharge therefrom to the hopper, said valve constituting the bottom of the compartment, each or" the compartments above but in relatively close prX- mity to its associated valve having an opening in a Wall thereof, and a separate supplemental compartment carried by the bin exteriorly thereof for each of the compartments and with which the opening communicates, said supplemental compartment providing means to return certain material to the compartments.

4. An elevator of the class described comprising an elongated member provided with engaging means, a slide coacting with the elongated member for movement therealong, a bucket, means for hingedly connecting the upper end portion of the bucket to the upper portion of the slide, a bail operatively engaged with the bucket below its upper end, a guide member supported outwardly of an end or the elongated member, and a flexible member secured to the bail and extending over said guide member, pull upon the flexible member operating to tilt the bucket when the slide passes beyond the end of the elon ated member adjacent to the guide mem er. 7

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JAMES ELIS DANKWORTH. 

